Schools recognized as exemplary

WELLSBURG - Three Brooke County schools have been recognized by the West Virginia Department of Education for their pupils' outstanding attendance and performance on state achievement tests.

Mary K. DeGarmo, Brooke County Schools superintendent, said Beech Bottom, Franklin and L.B. Millsop primary schools were among 65 West Virginia schools to receive Exemplary Accreditation from the state Department of Education's Office of Education Performance Audits.

To receive the status, schools must have an attendance rate of at least 94 percent and 80 percent of their pupils must have demonstrated, through state test scores, a proficiency in math, reading, language arts, science and social studies, with at least 30 percent demonstrating mastery, or a high level of skill, in those subjects.

DeGarmo and Bill Harvey, the board's president, noted it's not the first time the three schools have received recognition.

Beech Bottom Primary School, whose pupils' math scores were among the highest in the state, has been named a National Title I Distinguished School twice - in 2007 and 2008.

The honor is given by the National Association of State Title I Directors to schools whose pupils earned the highest reading and math scores in their states during a three-year period.

Title I schools are those that receive federal funding for additional instruction, usually through a reading or math specialist, because at least 40 percent of their enrollment is considered at risk of underperforming for various reasons, but often because of lower economic status.

Richard Whitehead, the school's principal, said its pupils' success can be attributed to their own hard work, the efforts of teachers and other staff and the support of the children's parents, an award-winning PTA and local businesses designated as Partners in Education.

The school has employed various strategies to help pupils hone reading and math skills including after-school tutoring and its Maniac Math program, through which the children apply math skills to assorted hands-on activities.

Scott Donohew, principal of Franklin Primary School - a previous recipient of the Exemplary status - said he's very proud of the school's accomplishment, adding it reflects the hard work of pupils and staff and support of parents and the community.

"Everyone, from teachers to service personnel, work to make the school a positive learning environment," he said, adding, "It's a team effort and parents are involved in that team."

Suzie Hudok, a fourth-grade teacher at the school, and Mary Fran Kowalo, a kindergarten teacher there, said in addition to after-school tutoring, the children benefit from the school's positive behavior support program, which offers physical rewards for good behavior and classroom achievement.

The recognition helps to build the children's self-esteem and boost learning, Kowalo said.

Joyce Vogler, principal and teacher at L.B. Millsop Primary School, said the school has received Exemplary status several times in the past, due in large part to its hard-working pupils, dedicated teachers, supportive parents and active PTA.

She said the school's involvement in the countywide Response to Intervention program, through which pupils struggling with reading receive additional instruction; and its Positive Behavior Support program helped the school to earn the status this year.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)